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Kangaroo meat

Australia’s commercial kangaroo industry began in 1959 and is considered one of the world’s best wild harvest operations. The industry is an important provider of jobs in regional and rural areas—industry representatives estimate that they employ around 4,000 people producing kangaroo products for both the domestic market and export.

Kangaroo meat is sustainably sourced in accordance with quotas that are scientifically set and regularly monitored. It is estimated that around 3 % of Australia’s harvestable kangaroo population is used for meat production each year. Only 4 species are permitted for commercial harvesting for meat export (red kangaroo, eastern grey kangaroo, western grey kangaroo and common wallaroo).

The Australian Government regulates the export activities of the kangaroo meat industry by registering processing facilities for export, overseeing production to ensure safety and issuing export certification for kangaroo meat products.

The Australian Government is also involved in developing and maintaining access for kangaroo products worldwide— exporters now having access to more than 60 overseas markets.

Building a stronger kanagroo meat industry

The Australian Government is driving a more profitable, resilient and sustainable kangaroo meat sector by:

providing funding under the Package Assisting Small Exporters to the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia to develop a market access strategy for kangaroo meat products in key Asian markets

negotiating access for kangaroo meat into new markets

supporting a review of the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes.

Key Facts

Australia exports more than 3,000 tonnes of kangaroo meat annually and has market access for kangaroo meat to more than 60 countries.

Kangaroo meat is sustainably sourced—only around 3% of the total harvestable kangaroo population is used for meat production.

Only 4 species of kangaroo are permitted for commercial harvesting—none of these are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as endangered or threatened with extinction.

Some countries import kangaroo leather, which is used to make high-quality wallets, belts, handbags, and boots worn by some of the world’s top footballers.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.